Adult & Teen Classes

Registration required at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Adult classes are open to all learners ages 16 and up. Teen classes are marked with the age range. All materials provided and no experience necessary unless otherwise noted.

Nonmember class fee includes admission for the class participant on the day of the class. Scholarship assistance is available. Please email questions to: classes@meijergardens.org

*Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Landscape Photography (Adults) Thursday, June 9, 6–8 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Cory Olson

Learn how to take advantage of the time of day to capture stunning landscapes. Composition, lighting, camera functions and different approaches will be covered to help you shoot beautiful scenery with confidence. Bring a camera and dress for the weather.

Butterfly Specimen Mounting (Adults) Thursday, June 16, 10 am–12 pm $60 members | $70 nonmembers Amber Oudsema and Eve Choi

Join Amber Oudsema and Eve Choi, Curators of Education, to learn about the art and science of pinning butterflies. Take time to design a composition for your shadow box, then carefully mount your specimen so it can be enjoyed for years to come.

Edible Container Garden* (Adults) Thursday, June 23, 10–11:30 am $45 members | $55 nonmembers Tony England, Meijer Gardens Horticulture Lead

Limited on space, but still want access to fresh, edible plants? Join us to create a striking patio container designed with tasty plantings! Learn what herbs and other edible plants grow great in containers; how to arrange your plants to create a beautiful composition based on the principles of “thriller, spiller, and filler”; and care tips to keep your container producing all summer. Then get your hands dirty to make your own small-scale container garden. End the class with a look at some of the unique container gardens Tony England has created here at Meijer Gardens. NEW Junior Naturalist: Wetland Water Quality (14–18) Monday, July 11, 9 am–12 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Dr. Robert Keys, Professor of Environmental Biology and Science Education at Cornerstone University

Aspiring and curious teens are invited to test the waters—quite literally—and see what it’s like to be an ecologist. Learn about wetlands through place-based, hands-on learning while sampling and studying the water and soil in our wetlands and conducting plant and wildlife surveys. Students will become Meijer Gardens scientists as they work alongside Dr. Rob Keys to explore the makeup of a wetland, the importance of wetlands and what makes a wetland healthy. Upon completion of the class, students will receive a Meijer Gardens Junior Naturalist certificate.

Victorian Figure Drawing (Adults) Saturday, July 16, 10 am–1 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Megan Kellner

Practice drawing the human form from life in this unique figure drawing class. Participants will see and learn about authentic Victorian clothing pieces. The class will start with warmup exercises in gesture drawing and proportions, then move into capturing the full figure in detail. Botanical Dyeing for Teens (14–18) Saturday, July 23, 1–4 pm $40 members | $50 nonmembers Jenna Simmons

Try your hand at several fabric-dyeing techniques using flowers—including the Japanese printmaking method hapa zome, which involves pounding flowers into fabric. Discover which fabrics hold color best. Leave with all sample materials created and a custom-dyed pillowcase.

Botanical Illustration (Adults) Saturday, July 23, 1–5 pm $65 members | $75 nonmembers Nancy Hart

Introduce yourself to the art of plant illustration in a relaxed atmosphere. Learn how to observe plants and flowers, then use watercolors and micro pens to transfer what you see to paper. This class provides a foundation for future exploration of botanical illustration techniques. Some painting and drawing skills recommended, but not required.

The Amazing Honeybee (Adults) Wednesday, July 27, 10:30 am–12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Don Snoeyink, Thornapple Woodlands LLC

There is much to learn and explore in the complex world of a honeybee. This class will provide a fascinating overview of the honeybee, from its lifecycle to its strict social order and so much more. Learn creative uses for honey and taste the sweetness of nature by sampling some. Don’t be surprised if you look at honeybees and other pollinators differently after this class. Attend Don’s second class, Basics of Beekeeping, on August 3 for more in-depth details on how to get started with beekeeping.

Beginning Monotype Printmaking (Adults) Monday, July 25, 5–8 pm $65 members | $75 nonmembers Taylor Bultema

Explore the endless designs you can create with monotype printing—a form of printmaking in which a unique image is created from applying ink directly to a plate and then transferring it to paper. Learn a variety of techniques, including additive and subtractive processes, stenciling, and utilizing found objects.

Basics of Beekeeping (Adults) Wednesday, August 3, 10:30 am–12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Don Snoeyink, Thornapple Woodlands LLC

In this introductory class, learn the basics of what it takes to be a beekeeper. Whether you’re curious about getting started or you’re one to two years into the journey, discover more about how to care for your bees. During this lecture, participants will learn how to set up a beehive, where to source materials and what to buy, mistakes and lessons learned along the way, and much more. This is a great opportunity to see if beekeeping is right for you or learn more to become a better beekeeper. Attend Don’s first class, The Amazing Honeybee, on July 27 for more in-depth details on the honeybee’s life.

Creative Hand Lettering (Adults) Friday, August 5, 10 am–1 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Katie Reitemeier

This class will build upon your own handwriting to create artfully drawn letters using markers and watercolor. Apply your newfound skill to creating a framed quote and one or two personalized cards to share. Take home a framed chalkboard, chalk marker and practice notebook.

Creatures of the Mappa Mundi - Bonnacon (detail), 2018. © Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Patchwork, appliqué, embroidery and Dutch wax printed cotton textile. Commissioned by Meadow Arts, 2018. Courtesy of the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London. Mark Blower.

Beginning Batik (Adults) Wednesday, August 10, 10:30 am–12 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Vickie Wilkinson

Become inspired by the sculptures of Yinka Shonibare and his use of colorful Dutch wax-printed fabrics. Learn about the unique process of batik and experiment with the tools, techniques, and processes of resist dyeing. Create a colorful fabric sampler to take home.

Camera Basics (Adults) Saturday, August 20, 9 am–1 pm $50 members | $60 nonmembers Dianne Carroll-Burdick

Get an in-depth knowledge about camera functions including ISO, file size, shutter, aperture, exposure modes. Learn with lecture, demo and activity. In the second half of the class, test your new knowledge by taking photographs around the grounds of Meijer Gardens. This class will allow you to take control of your camera and move to the next level of digital photography. For photographers using digital SLR cameras.

Natural Dyes (Adults) Wednesday, August 24, 5:30 pm–8:30 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Megan Williams, Adventure Textiles

Discover the art and science behind achieving natural colors from onion skins, avocado pits, turmeric, and more. Learn how to set up natural dye pots and dye with four kitchen materials. Then shift some of the colors with an iron modifier. Leave with 21 samples in a small dye recipe book and a set of napkins dyed in class. Dahlia Floral Bouquet (Adults) Saturday, August 27, 10–11:30 am $55 members | $65 nonmembers Kara Wilkinson, Fosters’ Floral

Make a stunning floral bouquet featuring dahlias and gain ideas and inspiration to help you create stunning bouquets and arrangements for years to come. First, watch a demonstration on how to use the elements of design to create a simple but lovely bouquet. Learn the mechanics of arranging a variety of materials and find out the tools and tricks of the trade. Then make your own bouquet using dahlias, unique foliage and more. Bring your bouquet home to display in a vase of your own, offering it a new life. Includes admission to the Dahlia Show on Saturday, August 27.

Heartside Mural Walk (Adults and Teens 14+) Friday, September 9, 10 am–12 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Jasmine Bruce

Join muralist Jasmine Bruce on a walking tour of the Heartside neighborhood murals. Discuss your interpretations as a group while exploring visual elements and principals of design. Stop at Jasmine’s mural (above) and hear firsthand about her artistic choices and technique. Explore color, scale and movement on this inspiring tour. Expect a significant amount of standing and walking. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. We will meet at a central Heartside location.

Cancellation Policy: Full refunds for cancellations are given if we are notified by phone or email 30 days in advance of the class. A 50% refund is given if we are notified 7–29 days in advance of the class. No refunds will be given for notice less than 7 days before the class. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-9753147, or email classes@meijergardens.org for cancellations.